New and notable appointments in association with One4all Rewards: Ardent,The Law Society of Ireland, Glanua, and more

Pictured: Nicola Downing, non-executive director at Ardent. 

This week sees new and notable appointments at Ardent, The Law Society of Ireland, Glanua, Landmark Technologies, Irish Life, Three Ireland, Pinergy, and Korn Ferry. 

Nicola Downing, Non-Executive Director
Ardent

The land management, consents and stakeholder engagement consultancy Ardent has announced the appointment of Nicola Downing as a non-executive director to its board.

Downing brings over 25 years of experience to her new role. Her experience spans scaling business growth, leading complex transformation programmes, and delivering sustainable commercial growth.

Downing held several C-suite positions at Ricoh Capital during her 20-year tenure. She started as CFO and CIO for the EMEA region. In 2018, she was appointed COO for the company; she then progressed to CEO in 2022 for the EMEA region.

During her time at Ricoh, Nicola Downing helped acquire approximately 30 businesses, gaining extensive experience integrating, transforming, and scaling organisations across international markets.

Speaking on her appointment, she said, “Having spent much of my career leading and transforming businesses, I’ve found that what I enjoy most is helping ambitious organisations navigate their next stage of growth. That means being clear about where to focus, making informed decisions about investment and ensuring the right people, systems and structures are in place to support that ambition.”

Ardent’s chief executive, Richard Caten, added, “As we continue to deliver against our long-term growth ambitions, it’s important that we bring different perspectives and experiences into the business to help us challenge our thinking and make the right decisions for the future.

“Nicola brings an exceptional breadth of commercial and operational experience, having led large international businesses through periods of significant change and growth. Her expertise will be particularly valuable as we look to scale our operations, invest in our capabilities and build on the strong reputation we’ve established across our markets.“

Martin Lawlor, President
The Law Society of Ireland

The Law Society of Ireland has appointed solicitor Martin Lawlor President for 2026-2027. He will serve a one-year term as President of the Law Society, representing almost 13,000 practising solicitors, until November 2027.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Lawlor said, “It is a great honour to take on the role of President of the Law Society of Ireland for the coming 12 months. Is mór an onóir dom glacadh le ról Uachtarán Dlí Chumann na hÉireann don 12 mhí atá romhainn.

“I am particularly conscious of the significant contribution that sole practitioners and smaller firms make to their local communities, and of the distinct challenges and opportunities associated with practising in these settings. However, supporting, representing and advocating for all solicitors, rural and urban, across the country will be a key priority during my presidency. Proudly from Wexford, where I live and practise, I understand first-hand the importance of local legal practices and the communities they serve.

“Being entrusted with the responsibility of representing the solicitors’ profession, both in Ireland and internationally, is something I do not take for granted. I am mindful of the importance of this role and will carry out my responsibilities with commitment, integrity, and a genuine sense of duty.” 

Various appointments
Glanua

Pictured (L-R): Caroline Ó Laochdha, Aubrey Mulveen, Karl Zimmerer and Peter Brewer.

Glanua has announced a series of senior leadership appointments.

Aubrey Mulveen joins Glanua from Chanelle Pharma, where he was Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the past five years. Previously, he held the CFO role with C&D Foods, a division of ABP Group and was an Audit Director at KPMG in Galway.

He brings extensive experience in strategic, operational and financial leadership, including strengthening financial governance and developing the systems required to support business growth. As Group CFO, he will lead Glanua’s finance function, supporting its strategic priorities and international expansion.

Peter Brewer, originally from South Africa and based in the UK for the past 25 years, brings more than 30 years of international leadership experience across manufacturing, engineering, water treatment, mining and biotechnology to his new role as Managing Director for Industrial.

He joins Glanua from Veolia Water Technologies, where he worked on the company’s UK project business, helping to drive growth and improve operational performance.

His experience spans business development, operational excellence, technology innovation and the delivery of complex engineering and manufacturing operations. At Glanua, Peter will be based in the UK and will lead the Industrial business as the Group pursues opportunities in established and emerging markets.

Caroline Ó Laochdha, from Clarinbridge in Galway, joins Glanua from Vision Built, a Sisk company, having previously spent several years with Mace Group in London.

She brings more than 20 years of experience in health, safety, wellbeing, environmental management and quality, with a proven track record in implementing HSQE strategies and embedding high standards across complex organisations.

As Group HSQE & Sustainability Director, she will lead Glanua’s group-wide approach to health, safety, quality, environmental management and sustainability, supporting the continued development of a strong safety culture across the business.

Karl Zimmerer, Group Managing Director at Glanua, commented, “I’m delighted to welcome Aubrey, Peter and Caroline to Glanua’s leadership team. They each bring significant experience and expertise in their respective fields. Their appointments strengthen our ability to build on our established presence in Ireland and the UK, expand internationally and develop our capabilities across municipal and industrial water and wastewater infrastructure and emerging advanced technology sectors.”

Richard Wheatley, Chief Financial Officer
Landmark Technologies

Richard Wheatley has been appointed as Landmark Technologies’ Chief Financial Officer.

In his new role, Richard will lead the company’s financial strategy. He will oversee the investment in its team and the capabilities needed to support the business’s pivot towards becoming a specialist in AI.

Commenting on his appointment, he said, “Having worked with start-ups as well as large multinationals, I know how crucial it is for financial planning to keep pace with ambition. Landmark has a strong team in place and a clear sense of where it wants to go next, which is what made the opportunity so appealing.

“My focus will be on making sure the financial strategy supports that direction, giving the business the confidence to keep investing in its people, services and future capabilities. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to the team and helping shape what comes next.”

Oisin O’Shaughnessy, Managing Director
Irish Life

Irish Life has announced the appointment of Oisin O’Shaughnessy as Managing Director, Insurance & Financial Solutions (IFS) and Chief Executive Officer of Irish Life Assurance, subject to regulatory approvals.

O’Shaughnessy will succeed Ger Davis, who has decided to retire from Irish Life in April 2027. A planned transition will begin in early 2027, with Oisin and Ger working closely together to ensure continuity for customers, colleagues, regulators and business partners.

Oisin O’Shaughnessy is currently Managing Director of Employer Solutions at Irish Life, the Group’s employer benefits business. A qualified actuary, he has held a range of senior roles across Irish Life’s individual and employer businesses during 25 years with the Group.

Commenting on his appointment, Oisin O’Shaughnessy said, “I’m enormously excited to take on this role and to build on the strong foundations Ger has established within IFS. I look forward to working with Declan and colleagues across Irish Life to strengthen collaboration across our businesses and continue to deliver for our customers. I would also like to thank Ger for his support through the transition.”

David FitzGerald, Chief Financial Officer
Three Ireland

Three Ireland has announced the appointment of David FitzGerald as Chief Financial Officer, strengthening its executive leadership team as the company continues to invest for sustainable growth and deliver on its long-term strategy.

As Chief Financial Officer, FitzGerald will be responsible for leading Three Ireland’s Finance function and developing and delivering a finance strategy that supports the company’s long-term ambitions and creates sustainable value.

Reporting to the CEO as a member of the Leadership Team, FitzGerald will help shape the company’s overall strategy, budget and key investment decisions. His remit also covers tax and treasury, procurement, and governance and integrity, including appropriate governance around the adoption of new technologies such as AI.

FitzGerald brings extensive cross-sector experience to the position. Most recently, he served as Chief Financial Officer at Global Consolidated Aesthetics for eight years, where he was responsible for the Finance & Administration, Strategy, Legal and IT functions. He has also held senior roles at Glanbia Performance Nutrition, Britvic Ireland, Uniphar, Danone Ireland, Microsoft and Procter & Gamble.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting from University College Dublin.

Speaking about his new role with Three Ireland, he said, “I’m delighted to join Three Ireland at an exciting point in its development. Three is a strong business with a leading position in the Irish market, significant investment in its network and a clear ambition for long-term growth.

“I look forward to working with Elaine Carey and the Leadership Team to help shape that next phase, ensuring we continue to invest in the areas that deliver the greatest value for our customers and the business.”

Mar Muñoz, Generation Specialist
Pinergy

Pinergy has appointed Mar Muñoz as Generation Specialist to lead its commercial generation service and expand support for small-scale renewable energy producers across their end-to-end generation journey.

Muñoz will direct Pinergy’s services across micro-generation, small-scale assets, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

In her role, she will support businesses in evidencing renewable energy attributes and their renewable energy commitments.

Muñoz brings 8 years of international energy market experience across Spain and Ireland, with a background in renewable strategy, business development, energy efficiency, and auditing.

Commenting on her appointment, Mar Muñoz said, “I am delighted to join Pinergy at a time when the Irish energy market is shifting rapidly and embracing decentralised generation.

“Thousands of businesses across Ireland have invested in clean energy assets, but many find the technical and administrative steps required to sell back excess electricity to be overly complex.

“My priority is to streamline this for our clients, ensuring their renewable investments deliver clear operational and financial returns by turning unused energy into a reliable revenue stream while also managing the renewable certification associated with their generation to support their broader decarbonisation goals.”

Zoë Gibson, Board
Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry has announced the appointment of Zoë Gibson as a Principal in its Board & CEO Services Practice and HR Practice in Ireland.

In her new role, Gibson will advise clients on board effectiveness, leadership succession and senior executive appointments, further strengthening Korn Ferry’s market-leading Board & CEO advisory capabilities in Ireland.

Gibson brings over 20 years of experience advising boards and senior leadership teams across the UK and international markets.

Bob Casey, Senior Client Partner and Head of Board & CEO Services, Korn Ferry Ireland, commented, “Zoë brings exceptional experience in advising boards and leadership teams on some of their most important decisions.

“Her track record in CEO, Chair and Non-Executive Director appointments, combined with her strong advisory capabilities, will be a significant asset to our clients and further strengthen our Board & CEO Services offering in Ireland.”

Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Gibson was a senior member of the Board & CEO Advisory Group at Russell Reynolds Associates, where she led CEO, Chair and Non-Executive Director appointments, particularly within the real estate, construction and infrastructure sectors.

She began her executive search career with The Zygos Partnership, a pioneering UK search firm focused exclusively on board and CEO appointments.

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